Govt., Regulations & VISA
Govt., RegulationsBhutan is one of the more exotic travel destinations. It remains a secluded land, nestled within the inaccessible southeastern slopes of the great Himalayan mountain range. Since the country opened its doors to tourists in the 70s, annual numbers have never exceeded a few thousand. More tourists visit neighboring Nepal in one year than have ever visited Bhutan. A major reason for this lies in the government's cautious and pragmatic approach to modernization in general and tourism in particular. Such insulation has meant that present-day Bhutan remains the only of the Himalayan Buddhist Kingdoms to have retained its independence and overall traditional character. That the Bhutanese appear to enjoy a simple though fulfilling life within landscapes of immense natural beauty, serves to promote the impression of a hidden paradise, a mythical Shangri-la.
Tourism in Bhutan is heavily regulated. The Bhutanese government is particularly aware of the potential dangers of uncontrolled tourism to the sustainability of Bhutan's environment and traditional culture. It has therefore tried to limit negative impacts by putting in place the following rules: a high minimum entry fee (an all-inclusive flat rate per night); all visitors must travel through an authorized Bhutanese agent; and tourists may not visit certain specified regions and holy sites. The volume of visitors and the scope of their traveling will be gradually expanded in line with capacities to suitably absorb them. [ Department of Tourism, Royal Govt. of Bhutan website ] VISAOther than Indian nationals, all visitors to Bhutan require a visa. All visas are issued from Thimphu. Visas are only issued to tourists booked with a local licensed tour operator, directly or through a foreign travel agent. Applications for tourist visas are submitted by the tour operator. Visa clearance from Thimphu must be obtained before coming to Bhutan. Visa clearance takes at least 10 days to process. Air tickets to Bhutan cannot be purchased without visa clearance. At your point of entry the visa will be stamped in your passport on payment of US$20, two passport photos will also be required. Visas are issued for a 15day period; extensions can be obtained in Thimphu at a cost of Nu.510.
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